Mining Incidents

White Bear Mica PlantMetal/Nonmetal

Custer, Custer County, SD · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 3901158
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
21
Years on record
2000–2021
Latest incident
Nov 2021
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

21 on file

2021 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While pressing aluminum pack, felt right shoulder pull and pop. Shoulder is torn.

Contact with hot objects or substances

The miner was lying on their right side while welding a patch on a piece of stationary equipment. A piece of welding slag was able to pass by EE's welding helmet and enter EE's ear. Pain was immediate. There was swelling to the interior of the ear limiting hearing from that ear.

2018 · 5 incidents

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

The dust collector for the feldspar process collects fines in a bulk bag. The operator was making adjustments to the bag when operator slipped and fell. Operator put left hand out to catch self and caught a finger in the chain drive for the airlock.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was mounting a production board with zip ties. EE was cutting the tail off one of the zip ties with a utility knife and EE cut EE's left wrist.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The operator was checking on the quantity of rock in a feed bin. EE climbed down the ladder and stepped on a pile of rock on the ground. The rock shifted and ee lost balance. EE put hand out to catch fall and injured wrist. After going to the doctor it was determined ee had broken a bone in wrist and is now wearing a cast.

Accident type, without injuries

Truck fill point for main propane tank burst at flexible coupling. Once gas reached vaporizer, it caused an explosion. Two employees ran to the tank to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher and shut off the valve to the main tank. The fire was put out immediately. No injuries were sustained. Contractor called, is on site conducting repairs. MSHA Case #01082020.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was loading ore into a hopper using a Bobcat skid loader. The hopper was plugged so the employee got out to unplug it. When getting back into the Bobcat, EE's foot slipped off the step and EE fell into it hitting ribs on the right side.

2017 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Slipped and fell on ice in parking lot of facility.

2015 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Dropped Hammer - Cut Thumb - 4 stitches administered

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Lower Back - This claim under investigation by Pacer's Workmen Comp and not yet classified as a work comp injury

2014 · 2 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Snowing heavily, fell in parking lot on snow/ice.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While on ladder, EE was pulling slack out of the new skirting being installed on the conveyor belt #1 and strained or pulled lower back. Continued to do light duty work rest of the day.

2010 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Trying to unplug wet feed in a feed hopper using a sledge hammer and injured left shoulder.

2009 · 2 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

Between 5 am & 5:30 am on Monday 6-1-09 it was discovered that there had been a fire in the air compressor room over the week end. It was ok at end of shift 10:30 pm friday 5-29-09. Fire had burned itself out. The area was secured & proper authorities contacted. Fire Marshal ruled a heater caused it & we are waiting his report.

Struck by powered moving object

Forklift was moving full pallets. Driver did not see injury walk in front of him. He did not see forklift. He was knocked down and sprain ankle.

2008 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was stacking 50# bags on a pallet and pulled muscles in lower back. Employee was released to come back to work on 8/25/08 but chose not to return until 8/26/08. Treated at Custer Regional Clinic by Dr for lower back strain.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

At home in evening he removed a flake of mica from his R eye. On Sun, 8/10 went to ER & was treated (found nothing in eye) - given antibiotics. 8/11 went to Advanced Eye Care. Was told eye was scratched & was given eye drops. 8/11 reported issue to Pit Mgr. 8/15 went back to Advanced Eye Care for more treatment - did not work, Returned to work 8/18/08 able to see out of eye.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was stacking 50# bags on a pallet and over-extended his right elbow. Treated at Custer Regional by doctor for lateral epicandylitis

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee stacked 48 50# bags on a pallet. He then went to get forklift. He removed the portable tank heater and hung it on a hook on the wall. He experienced a sharp pain in his lower back. He tried to return to stacking bags but the pain persisted in his lower back. He went to the Custer Regional Medical Clinic were he received 4 lidocaine injection in his lower back and med.

2001 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

EE WAS WORKING ON ROOF OF MICA MILL WHEN WIND KICKED UP AND BLEW DUST IN HIS RIGHT EYE. FIRST AID WAS DONE AT SITE. THE NEXT MORNING EE STILL EXPERIENCED IRRITATION AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY R OOM AT THE HOSPITAL.

2000 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS USING A GRINDER WITH A BRUSH TO REMOVE OLD PAIN FROM A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. HE WAS GRINDING AT NECK LEVEL. HE HIT A BUMP IN THE METAL AND THE GRINDER BOUNCED BACK HITTING HIM IN THE THRO AT AREA. HE RECEIVED A LONG SCRAPE ON THE NECK. THE EE WENT TO THE ENERGENCVY ROOM ON SATURDAY VECAUSE HE HAD GOTTEN HOARSE.